Frequently Asked Questions

<p>None of the residence halls on Chestnut Hill, Newton or Brookline Campus are air-conditioned.</p>

<p>No. Students who have a medical need to bring their own mattress must submit medical documentation from their health care provider. This documentation should consist of a full medical history as it pertains to the condition and provide a detailed explanation of why the student should be permitted to bring their own mattress to campus.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Documentation must be sent to the Disability Services Office, which will review the request.</li> <li>The student will be notified via their BC email account when a decision is made.</li> <li>If the request is approved, the student will also be required to provide documentation that indicates the mattress satisfies state and local fire safety regulations.</li> </ul> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/studentaffairs/sites/dean-of-students/disability-services.html">Disability Services Site</a></span></p>

<p>Students may access previously completed steps of their housing application until the application deadline. </p> <h3>Deadlines</h3> <ul> <li>Newton &amp; Chestnut Hill students: July 1</li> <li>Brookline students: June 1<br> </li> </ul>

<p>Our Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide students the opportunity to live alongside peers who share similar interests in an environment that intentionally facilitates increased interaction with faculty and staff across various areas of the university.&nbsp;At this time, LLCS are only available on Newton &amp; Chestnut Hill campuses.Learn More about our Living Learning Communities.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/studentaffairs/sites/residential-life/programs/living-learning-communities.html">More About LLCs</a></span></p>

<p>Roommate requests may be made within your housing application. Requests must be&nbsp;<b>mutually confirmed</b>&nbsp;between students to be considered. </p> <p>The Office of Residential Life will try to honor all roommate requests, but they are not guaranteed.</p>

<p>Yes and yes. Within the spring only housing application, you will be able to list your preferences for room types (i.e. traditional, suite, apartment), as well as listing any specific roommate requests. However, our office may not be able to meet your request depending what rooms are available.<br> </p>

<p>Yes. Residential Life will do their best to communicate with students who are already eligible for on-campus housing about the housing application process, but if you do not already have an open housing application, the appeal form will notify Residential Life that you are interested in living on-campus.&nbsp;<br> </p>

<p>Students are not required to live on campus, but all current first-year students and most rising upper-class students have the option to participate in room selection. We do our best to meet student demand for on-campus housing; this year, approximately 5,200 students will receive housing through the Group Selection process or Open Registration. Resources for finding off-campus housing are available through the Office of Off-Campus Student Living.</p>

<p>No. Every year, myths and theories about how best to manipulate the lottery system abound, but the only thing that matters in this randomized process is a student’s class year. Here are some of the most popular myths:<br> &nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>That having the letter “A” in the group name or applying last minute will improve your chances. We do not consider these factors in our process, which is completely randomized.That certain groups or populations of students get priority over others in the housing selection process. We do not provide special preference to any group, whether that is athletes or legacy students in the housing process.<br> <br> </li> <li>That conduct or grades play a role in the selection process. We do not consider conduct or grade point average.<br> <br> </li> <li>That there is a way to game the lottery system to guarantee a Mod for senior year. There are only 438 beds in the Mods, and they are assigned on a randomized basis. However, there are many other apartment options on campus.<br> <br> </li> <li>That if students live on Newton Campus or in a lofted triple their first year, they are guaranteed a better pick in later lottery processes. This is not true. Past housing assignments have no impact on the process.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br> </li> </ul>

<p>It’s a reality that the housing process can sometimes be a source of stress for students. This is normal. You can encourage your student to have conversations about housing early and often with their friends, and to check in with their RA or come talk to us at the Office of Residential Life. We’re here to help and problem-solve!<br> </p>

<p>Applications for Living &amp; Learning Communities (LLC) are made available within the Housing Application. Students should answer all required questions regarding Living &amp; Learning Communities within the Housing Application. The upperclassmen LLC options are: Sustainability, Honors, and Healthy Living Community. To learn more, please visit the Living &amp; Learning Programs page. </p>

<p>The housing application will become available to students one to two business days after the enrollment confirmation fee has been submitted. The new student housing application opens on April 1 and closes on July 1, for students living on Chestnut Hill or Newton Campuses. The housing application for Messina College students willl open on April 1 and close on June 1.</p> <p>To submit your housing application you will need to complete the following steps: </p> <ol><li>Log in to your BC Applicant Status Portal.</li><li>Scroll down and select the &#34;Complete Your Housing Application&#34; dropdown.</li><li>Follow the steps provided to submit your housing application. </li></ol> <p>Please note:</p> <ul><li>If you have received confirmation that your fee was received and you are still experiencing trouble, please contact the Office of Residential Life at 617-552-3060.</li><li>If you are unsure if you have made payment or have not received confirmation of payment, please call the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 617-552-3100.</li></ul>

<p>All first-year students access their buildings with Eagle IDs. Students should not punch holes in the card as this could cause the card to malfunction. Chestnut Hill and Newton students will also use their IDs to access their bedrooms and common bathrooms. Brookline students will be provided with keys to access their bedrooms. Students should never leave their room without their Eagle ID.</p> <p>Bedroom and bathroom locks on Newton and Chestnut Hill require students to hold their card up to the lock and then enter a unique PIN number. Students can find PINs on their My Res Life portal page. The normal process for using these locks is as follows:</p> <ol><li>Hold Eagle ID up to the lower face of the lock until the light shines yellow.</li><li>Enter your PIN while the light is on.</li><li>The light should flash green and the lock should unlock.</li></ol> <p>Students on Newton and Chestnut Hill need to bring their Eagle ID with them when they go to the bathroom as they will need it to get into the bathroom and back into their own room. If a student is locked out of their room, they should:</p> <ol><li>Try to contact an available roommate.</li><li>Try to contact a Resident Director or Resident Assistant (between the hours of 8pm and 2am, there are always two Resident Assistants on-call who can unlock the room).</li><li>Call the Boston College Police Department non-emergency number (after 2am and during the day if a roommate or resident assistant is not available).</li></ol>

<p>Every January, Residential Life offers room selection information sessions to all students. First-year students are highly encouraged to attend to get all of their room selection questions answered. For students having trouble finding roommates, RAs and Resident Directors are great resources to help them better understand the room selection process, find roommates, and understand the housing that is available to them.</p> <p>If students have questions or concerns about the process, they are invited to drop by the Office of Residential Life to speak with a staff person one-on-one at any time.<br> </p>

<p>Students can choose to participate in room selection as a group (Group Selection), or as an individual (Open Registration).</p> <p>There are four main parts to the Group Selection process:</p> <ul><li>Housing Application: In order to begin the room selection process, eligible students must indicate their housing intent within the returning student housing application via the MyResLife link on the Agora</li><li>Portal.Group Registration: The Group Leader registers the group for a particular room type via MyResLife. Group registrations take place between 9am and 1pm.</li><li>Room Draw: Following the close of registration, a computer-driven random drawing will select the participants for each day. All members of the groups that participate in each drawing will receive an email regarding their drawing results.</li><li>Room Pick: If a group is selected to pick a room, the Group Leader will receive an email with the scheduled time at which he/she will select next year&#39;s room assignment online. The selection will take place later that same day. If your group receives a pick time, your group must select housing on that day.</li></ul> <p>After a group has picked a room, the process is over. If a group was not drawn for a particular accommodation type, that group will have to continue through the process for the next available day. If a student decides to participate in Open Registration instead of Group Selection, he/she must complete the Open Registration portion of the housing application, located on Agora under MyResLife.<br /> </p>

<p>In BC’s housing selection process, priority is determined solely by class year, which encourages students from the same class to live together and ensures that the process is as fair as possible. We assign lottery numbers after students decide on their housing groups, so BC students choose their roommates based on roommate compatibility rather than on who receives the best lottery number.</p> <p>There are many types of rooms available for sophomores and upper-class students, from two-person doubles to nine-person suites. As with any randomized process, there is always the possibility that your student may not end up in their first-choice situation every year, but we can assure you that every group of students has an equal shot. Students are always encouraged to have multiple backup plans in case their top choices are not available.<br> </p>

<p>Each year, approximately 850 first-year students (40%) live in the four residence halls on the Newton Campus, while 1,300 first-year students (60%) live in the 10 residence halls on Chestnut Hill campus.&nbsp;Approximately 100 first year students enrolled in Messina College will live on the Brookline Campus.</p>

<h3>Transfer Students</h3> <p>The majority of Boston College students receive three years of guaranteed housing. Sophomore transfer students receive one year of guaranteed housing.&nbsp;</p> <h3>Exchange Students</h3> <p>New international exchange students should receive information from the Office of Global Education in regards to orientation and arrival.&nbsp;</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/sites/global-engagement/sites/office-of-global-education.html">Office of Global Education</a></span></p>

<p>If a student was granted three years of housing, the mandatory year off campus is junior year. Students are not permitted to change this. If a rising sophomore student with three years of housing chooses to move off-campus, he/she will have to remain off campus for both sophomore and junior years; but will be eligible to move back on campus senior year.</p>

<p>Room selection is a deadline-driven process and students that miss a deadline may no longer be eligible for University housing. If you do not submit your housing application by the deadline and would still like to live in University housing, you must file a housing appeal via the MyResLife link on the <a href="https://services.bc.edu/commoncore/myservices.do">Agora Portal.</a></p>

<p>Yes, students that are going abroad in the fall semester are able to request on-campus housing for just the spring semester. We would ask that students submit a housing appeal for the applicable spring semester, and then Residential Life would be able to provide a Spring Only Housing Application for a student to complete. We cannot guarantee that all students returning from abroad will be able to live on-campus in the spring, but typically there is space available for anyone that is interested in housing for just the spring semester.&nbsp;<br> </p>

<p>No. Once you have confirmed to be studying abroad in the fall semester, you will be removed from your housing assignment for the entire academic year. Once you have been removed from your housing assignment, you will no longer have claim to this room for the spring semester, which means that another student will be assigned to any vacant spaces by Residential Life. Please note that rooms that end up being vacated cannot be held or blocked by you or your roommates within the space. If it is found that students are deterring students from moving into the vacancy, then they could be referred to the Student Conduct process.<br /> </p>

<p>Yes. If a student is eligible for on-campus housing they are able to select a space during the March Group Selection process, or complete the Open Registration process. Students who are going abroad in the fall, are not required to participate in the housing selection process; it typically is a back-up option in case a student’s study abroad plans change.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Each room is furnished with a bed, mattress, desk, chair, and dresser for each occupant. There are built-in closets in each room for each student (lofted triple rooms share the closet). Most rooms on Newton and Chestnut Hill have wall-to-wall carpeting. All rooms on Brookline Campus have tile floors. All students on Chestnut Hill, Newton and Brookline campuses will have access to&nbsp;Comcast Xfinity streaming&nbsp;service for their TV or devices.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/its/sites/students.html#xfinity">About Xfinity on Campus</a></span></p>

<p>In a lofted triple room, three students share a space that traditionally accommodates two students. The furniture arrangement provides each student with a bed (two beds are bunked, plus one lofted bed), desk and dresser. Due to the anticipated size of our first-year class, there may be the need to establish lofted triple rooms. Lofted triple rooms are only located on Chestnut Hill Campus. Students enrolled in Messina College and living on the Brookline Campus will not have lofted triples.</p> <p><b>Assignments Order</b></p> <p>We will assign students who volunteer for placement in a lofted triple room first. If there is still need to fill lofted triple rooms, due to the size of the class, the Office of Residential Life will then assign students who were admitted from the Admissions waitlist. If there is still a need to fill lofted triple rooms after these groups, Residential Life will randomly assign students.</p> <p><b>Benefits</b></p> <p>Each student will receive a prorated rebate for the first 6 weeks of the semester. Following week 6, each student will retain the entire 1/3 room rate rebate for the specific semester regardless if the room is de-tripled prior to the end of the semester. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the 1/3 room rate rebate amount is $1,788 per semester.</p>

<h3>Upper Campus/Chestnut Hill</h3> <p><b>Room Sizes</b></p> <ul> <li>Double rooms 16' × 12'<br> </li> <li>Single rooms 16' × 9'<br> </li> </ul> <p><b>Window Sizes</b></p> <ul> <li>Double-room windows 62&quot; × 64&quot;<br> </li> <li>Single-room windows 62&quot; × 42&quot;<br> </li> </ul> <h3>Newton Campus</h3> <p><b>Room Sizes</b></p> <ul> <li>Double rooms 18' × 11'</li> <li>Single rooms 13' × 9'</li> </ul> <p><b>Window Sizes</b></p> <ul> <li>Double-room windows 66&quot; × 64&quot;</li> <li>Single-room windows 66&quot; × 64&quot;</li> </ul> <h3>Brookline Campus</h3> <ul> <li>Room sizes:&nbsp;Double rooms 12' x 16'</li> <li>Window sizes:&nbsp;Double-room windows 62&quot; x 51&quot;</li> </ul>

<p>All rooms for first year students on Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses are traditional style housing. Most rooms on Newton and Chestnut Hill are double occupancy, with some triple and quad options. The Brookline Campus only has double occupancy rooms. All students have access to laundry facilities, exercise rooms, and entertainment/recreation areas.<br /> </p>

<p>In some situations, the process of putting together a group can be stressful, particularly when it is a large group. We encourage students to have open and honest conversations with their friends about what works for them in a living situation and what doesn’t. These are challenging conversations that require maturity, openness, and compassion, but ultimately, they can help students build stronger relationships and learn more about themselves and one another.</p> <p>Certain room types are more popular than others. Rising sophomores often want to live in eight-person suites, and rising juniors and seniors often aim for an apartment as their first choice. However, space in these most-in-demand types of rooms is limited, so it is helpful for students and groups to have a backup plan.</p> <p>Although it can be initially disappointing, to not receive first choice, it doesn’t mean your student’s next year will go poorly. While there are different locations and room types, each area and type of room has its advantages.</p>

<p>In the event that your study abroad program may be canceled, you would need to submit a housing appeal, even if you do have guaranteed housing for that year. If your appeal is approved, our office would work with you to try to assign you to a space on-campus. However, you may not be able to be assigned to the room you selected during room selection.&nbsp;<br> </p>

<p>Each student can find their specific mailing information on the Agora Portal. Each residence hall has a specific mailing address, which can be found on the Mail Services page.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-maroon"><a href="http://portal.bc.edu/">Agora Portal</a></span></p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-maroon"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/facilities/services/mail-services.html">Mail Services</a></span></p>

<p>Mattresses are twin, extra-long: 36&quot; × 80&quot;.<br> </p>

<p>Use the First-Year Packing Guide to make sure you have everything you need for your first year living at Boston College. These are just some suggestions; you should adapt this list to suit your own situation.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/dam/bc1/offices/StudentAffairs/ResLife/PDF/FY%20Student%20Packing%20Guide%202023.pdf">First-Year Packing Guide</a></span></p>

<p>For a full list of prohibited items review the please read the Safety and Security Policies and the Conditions for Residency.&nbsp;You can also review our first-year packing guide for a more general list of prohibited items.<br> </p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/studentaffairs/sites/residential-life/community-expectations/policies">Residential Life Policies</a></span></p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/dam/bc1/offices/StudentAffairs/ResLife/PDF/FY%20Student%20Packing%20Guide%202023.pdf">First-Year Packing Guide</a></span></p>

<p>The vast majority of rooms are traditional double-occupancy accommodations with a shared bathroom on each floor. There are a limited number of single occupancy, natural triple, and quad rooms available on both the Chestnut Hill and Newton Campuses. Brookline Campus contains only traditional double-occupancy rooms.&nbsp;Any student requesting a housing assignment based on a medical condition, psychological or physical disability must register with the&nbsp;Disability Services Office&nbsp;by the priority deadlines established for each semester.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/studentaffairs/sites/dean-of-students/disability-services.html">Disability Services Site</a></span></p>

<p>All rooms for first year students on Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses are traditional style housing.&nbsp;Most rooms on Newton and Chestnut Hill are double occupancy, with some triple and quad options. Brookline Campus only has double occupancy rooms. All students have access to laundry facilities and study/recreation rooms.&nbsp;Each campus has access to a dining hall, mailroom, exercise space, and chapel.<br> </p>

<p>Check-in dates for all transition periods are published on our Hall Openings and Closings page. Information on particular transition periods is updated yearly and published a few months ahead of the transition. Newton and Chestnut Hill students attending Orientation Session Seven will check in to their room assignment for the school year.</p> <p><span class="btn btn-default btn-maroon"><a href="/content/bc-web/offices/studentaffairs/sites/residential-life/living-in-bc-housing/hall-openings-closings.html">Hall Openings &amp; Closings</a></span></p>

<p>First-year students living on Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses must complete the Housing Application by July 1. Students living on Brookline Campus must complete their Housing Application by June 1. You will not be able to make changes to your application after that time.</p>

<p>Housing assignments will be communicated via email during mid-June for students living on Brookline Campus. Housing assignments for Newton and Chestnut Hill students will be communicated via email during the first week of August.</p>

<p>The entire room selection process is held online, in the MyResLife area on the Agora portal.</p>